Controlled clearance regenerator seal



Feb. 20, 1962 w. c. GIBSON 3,022,051

CONTROLLED CLEARANCE REGENERATOR SEAL Filed April 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 K4; aim 72 5i Feb. 20, 1962 w. c. GIBSON CONTROLLED CLEARANCE REGENERATOR SEAL Filed April 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F r n r n W/LAARD 6? 678.904

United States atent 3,022,051 CQN I'ROLLED CLEASRAIEAECE REGENERATOR Willard C. Gibson, Willonghhy, Ohio, assignor to Thompson Rama Wooldridge Inc., a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 726,727

6 Claims. (Cl. 257-269) This invention relates to a seal shoe for the rotating matrix of a regenerator for use with gas turbines and more particularly to a controlled clearance seal shoe system in which leakage from the relatively high pressure compressor air side of the regenerator to the low pressure exhaust side is minimized by controlling the total clearance between the matrix and seal shoes.

Heretofore, leakage from the high pressure air side of a drum type regenerator to the low pressure exhaust side has been difficult to prevent without undue wear on the rotating matrix of the regenerator. This has been the result of the problems involved in maintaining seal shoe means at a predetermined closely spaced distance from the rotating matrix without intermittently pressing the shoe against the matrix with an undesirable degree of force. The invention provides for linkage means Whichwill balance the force on one seal shoe against the forceon the seal shoe disposed oppositely thereto with respect to the matrix so that a substantially uniform clearance is maintained between the seal shoes and the matrix. The linkage means include rocker means which are adjustable to vary the clearance as desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a controlled clearance system for seal shoes of a regenerator matrix which will hold the shoes in adjustably close relationship to the matrix without undue wear on the matrix.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe assembly for a rotating matrix as described which is effective to prevent leakage from a high pressure portion of the regenerator to a low pressure portion thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of seal shoes extending axially on each side of a radial section of a matrix and connected by linkage means as described for equalizing the force on the seal shoes, and

a pair of side shoes extending radially on each side of' the matrix and connected with the seal shoes extending axially thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the radially extending shoes may be balanced by linkage means of the type used for the axially extending shoes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connection between the axially extending shoes and the radially extending shoes which permits relative movement therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a linkage for the seal shoes of the matrix for a drum type regenerator in which pin means are mounted for radial movement of the axially extending shoes, and rocker means are provided connecting the pin means to balance the forces on each of the axially extending shoes. Similarly, pin means may be mounted for axial movement in response to axial movement of the radially extending shoes, movement of the pin means being transmitted by rocker means of the type used for the axially extending shoes.

Another object of the invention is to provide stationary seal means for use in cooperation with the above mentioned movable seal means, thestationary seal means being adapted to prevent movement of gas radially outward at the sides of the matrix.

Another object of the invention is to provide pin means as described which afford slight rotational movement of the seal shoes connected therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds'in accordance with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a regenerator force balancing system according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view of the regenerator taken along the line IIII of FIGURE 1 and showing one set of linkage means therefor;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line III-III of FlGURE 1 and showing a stationary seal for the matrix of the regenerator;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view showing another linkage system for the shoe assemblies of the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the relation between the seal shoes of a seal shoe assembly according to the invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 a rotary regenerator for gas turbines is shown in accordance with the present invention and designated by reference numeral 10. A device of this type has been found to achieve the greatest possiblefuel savings for gas turbines, but has not gained acceptance because the cost of manufacture has been relatively high, and because loss of energy has occurred as 'a result of the leakage of air from the relatively highpressure compressor air in the regenerator to the low .pressure exhaust gas so that the leakage air by-passes the turbine.

This invention overcomes the problem of excessive leakage by providing a system of seal shoe assemblies held in balance and in predetermined close relationship to thematrix of the regenerator by means of linkages between the main seal shoe assemblies and the side seal shoe assemblies hereinafter described which utilize forces resulting from the tendency of the high-pressure air to leak to the low-pressure air.

Various factors, including thermally induced variation in the matrix, may alter the clearance between the seal shoes and the matrix they support, and thereby vary the force on a given seal shoe. Linking the seal shoes in accordance with the invention serves to transmit the force from one shoe to that of another to maintain a uniform force and spacing therefor which prevents wear in the seal shoes while reducing leakage.

The regenerator 10 of the invention consists of a rotary matrix A and a seal shoe mean which includes a pair of oppositely disposed seal shoe assemblies B1 and B2 held in fixed angular relation to an annular housing H by a connecting element 3' formed integrally with the housing H which divides the housing into two sectors H1 and H2 for relatively high-pressure (such as three to four atmospheres) and low-pressure (such as one atmosphere) respectively. The seal shoe assembly Bl includes a pair of axially extending, radially aligned shoes 11 and 12 disposed in proximate relation to the outer and inner sides of the matrix A respectively, and radially extending and axially aligned side shoes 13 and 14 in proximate relation to the sides 15 and 16 of the matrix A. A sealing means K is formed integrally with the housing H, and is disposed on each side of the matrix in proximate relationship with the sides 15 and 16 to prevent radially outward escape of gases beyond the sides, as shown in FIG. 3.

In order to afford a closely spaced relationship of the shoe assemblies B1 and B2 to the matrix which will prevent leakage from the compressor to the exhaust portion of the regenerator, without undue wear on the regenerator,

' a linkagesystem 17 is provided in one embodiment of the 2'. To permit radial movement of the pins C in response to radial movement of the shoes 11 and 12, the pins are mounted upon diaphragms D in concentric wall portions 18 and 19 of the housing H, so as to prevent air from case ing from the housing H. Any force which tends to move the shoes 11 and 12 away from the matrix A,

of shoes surrounding said matrix, and rigid linkage means on said'housing rockably connecting each of a pair of said seal shoes, whereby to transmit force against either will be transmitted to one or the other of the pins C and i will effect angular movel tent in a rocker E, which will 'act on a connecting rod F to pivot a rocker G secured 7 shoes 2.3 and 34, the axially aligned shoes Hand 12 are somewhat loosely fitted. in tongue and groove relationship with the radially aligned shoes 12 and 13 asshown in FEGUBE 4. Thus, movements either axially or radially of the matr x A may be accommodated without disturbance in the proper alignment. of one or the other of said shoes with the matrix. Because of the rounded configuration of the ends of the pins C, slight rotational movement of the seals 11 and 12 may be also accom modated.

As seen in FIGURE 4,'a second embodiment of the invention is provided, in which similar parts are referred to by similar numbers. In this embodiment, the radially aligned shoes 13a and 14a are maintained in balance and in uniformly spaced relation to the sides 15 and 16 of the matrix A, by means of a linkage system 21. The linkage system 21 comprises a pair of rounded pins Clmounted in diaphragms D1 in the housing H. The pins C1. are responsive to axial movement of the seal shoes 13a and 14a and actuate apair of rockers G1 directly, the rockers.

being mounted on opposite sides of the housing H by brackets 32 and 34. The rockers G1 arelconnected at their outer ends by a rod 22 having a tunubuckle 23;

' Accordingly, when it is desired to adjust the spacing between the shoes 13a and Ma and the matrix A, this can. be done in one'movement by rotation of the turnbuckle. The shoes will then be held in the desired proximate relation to the matrix in accordance with the balance of forces herein above described.

There has thus been provided a system for maintaining.

of said shoes to the other of said shoes for inward sealiug action against the matrix to maintain said shoes to clearance equilibriumaud to minimize leakage between said compartments. a

2. In a regenerator for a gas turbine having a housing and a rotary type matrix, a seal shoe assembly including a pair of seal shoes in axiallyproxirnate relation to a radial section of said matrix on opposite sides of said radial section of said matrix, a pin for each of said axially aligned shoes, said pins engaging said shoes radially relative to said matrix, a rocker-for each of said pins pivotally mounted on said housing and a'rocker pivotally disposed on said housing and having linkage means conmeeting said first-named rockerswhereby to transmit force exerted radially against one of said seal shoes to the other of said seal shoes and to'maintain substmtially uniform clearance between each of said seal shoes and said matrix.

3. In a regenerator'for a gas turbine having a housing and a rotary type matrix, a seal shoe assembly including 7 a pair of seal shoes in radially proximate relationship to the seal shoes of a rotary type regenerator in equilibrium and in substantially uniformly spaced relationship to the annular matrix of the regenerator. The manner of connecting oppositely disposed seal shoes. may vary in accordance with the specific construction of the housing for the matrix and the manner of rotatably supporting the matrix in the seal shoe assemblies. It will be seen, how- I ever, that the system of the invention is simple and. eificient and will not be subject to wear or breakdown over extended periods of use; 7

Although I have herein set forth and described my invention with respect to certain principles thereof it will be understood by those skilled in'the art these may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention asset forth in the hereunto appended claims. a V

-I claim as my invention: a

1. A regenerator for gas turbines and the like comprising a housing, an annular matrix rotatably disposedin said housing, a pair of seal shoe assemblies each dis posed in substantially radial alignment with a radial section of said matrix and angularly spaced from one another, sealing means cooperating with said seal shoe assemblies to define a pair of compartments affording difierential pressure therebetween, each of said shoe assemblies including ;a pair of seal shoes disposed in axially proximate relaa radial section of'said matrix on opposite sides of. said radial section of said matrix, a pin for. each of said seal.

shoes, said pins engaging said seal shoes'in axial relationship to said matrix, a rocker for. each. of said pins pivotally' mounted on said housing irr engagement with said pin and a linkage between each. of said rockers whereby to transmit force against one of said seal shoes to the other of said seal shoes and to assure a substantially uniform clearance between eachof saidseal shoes and said matrix.

4. A regenerator for gas turbines comprising an annular rotary matrix, a housing for said matrix including a portionsurrounding a radial section of said matrix, a seal shoe assemblysurrounding said radial section of said matrix, a pair of'pins engaging oppositely disposed portions of said seal shoe assembly, diaphragm means supporting each of said pins in said housing portion for afiording movement of said pin in response to movement of a portion ofsaid assembly engaged therewith, and sealing said housing portion against transmission of gas therethrough, and linkage means rockably actuated by either of said pins in response to pressure exerted against the portion of. said seal. shoe assembly associated therewith and adaptedto actuate the other of said pins and the portion of. the seal shoe assembly associated therewith whereby to maintain a clearance equilibrium between said portions. r r. r

. 5. In a regenerator for gas turbines having a rotary annular matrix, a housing for said'matrix including a portion surrounding aradial section of said matrix and a seal shoe assembly enclosing said radial section of said matrix in proximate relation thereto having a pair of radially vdisposed seal shoes on opposite sides of said matrix and a pair of axially disposed seal shoes on opposite sides of saidmatrix, apin for each shoe of one of said pairs of sealshoes engaging said shoe for relative tionship to said' matrix on opposite sides thereof and a pair of seal shoes disposed in radially proximate relationship to said matrix on opposite sides thereof, said pairs rotary movement therewith, and linkage means mounted on said housing portion rockably connecting. each of said pins for transmitting force, against eitherof' said shoes to the other of said shoes whereby to maintain said shoes in clearance equilibrium. I

6. Inadrum type regenerator for gas turbines, an,

annular matrix, a housing for rotatably receiving the matrix, a shoe assembly for a radial section of said matrix having a pair or axially extending seal shoes and a pair of radially extending, seal shoes surrounding said matrix section in proximate relationship thereto, a movable tongue-aud-groove connection between each of said axially extending seal shoes and the radially extending seal shoe adjacent" thereto and linkage means connecting one of said pairs of axially extending seal shoes whereby force exerted against one of the shoes of said one pair of shoes is transmitted to the other of the shoes "of said one pair of shoes, the movement of said pairs of shoes being sub- 2,643,097 Bowden et a1. June 23, 1953 stantially mutuali'y independent as a consequence of said 2,650,074 Ballard Aug. 25, 1953 tongue and groove relationship. 2,678,193 Stevens et a1. May 11, 1954 2,743,945 Bentele et a1. May 1, 1956 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2,873,952 Mudersbach et a1. Feb. 17, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,416,570 Coleman Feb. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 2 07 565 Jensen A 19 1952 543,093 Great Britain 0, 1942 

